Ceremony honors America's heroes

  • Published
  • By Jasmine DeNamur
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Eglin honored prisoners of war and those missing in action during its annual POW/MIA ceremony Sept. 18 at the Air Armament Museum.

"Today we mourn the POWs and MIAs we have lost; those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," said Maj. Gen. C. R. Davis, Air Armament Center commander and guest speaker. "We enjoy the freedoms their lives have ensured and comfort the families they have left behind. Today we long to know the location of those servicemembers whose whereabouts are unknown."

Members of the Patriot Guard welcomed attendees in a procession of U.S. flags at the museum's entrance. Special guests included retired Col. George "Bud" Day, Medal of Honor recipient, and retired Army Lt. Col. James Holland of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

"For many attendees, former prisoners of war and the families of those still missing in action, this ceremony holds a more personal meaning than the rest of us will ever know," said General Davis. "For the last 30 years, the U.S. has reserved a day when our attention is focused on the Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Seamen and Coast Guardsmen who are not able to be with us."

Recognition for these servicemembers was highlighted during the POW/MIA Missing Man Table dedication, a focal point of the ceremony. The table, lit by a spotlight, had five place settings representing missing servicemembers from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard and one setting for missing civilians. Every item on the table, to include the table itself, symbolized an aspect of the experiences of POWs and those missing in action.

"At many times throughout the year, we observe the symbols that remind us of our missing," said General Davis. "The most noticeable is the POW/MIA flag that has come to represent our commitment to bring our absent warriors home."

The inspiration for the POW/MIA flag occurred in 1971 when the spouse if a servicemember missing in action worked with a flag maker to produce a symbol honoring POWs and MIAs. After its inception, an official flag was flown over the White House on National POW/MIA Recognition Day in 1988, and the same flag was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda a year later. It is the only flag displayed in the room today.

"The best way we can honor a POW/MIA is to fly that flag," said Capt. Paul Tinker, POW/MIA project officer and 53rd Wing assistant flight commander. "It's a powerful symbol and reminder of what these men and women endured for us."

When Captain Tinker was presented with the opportunity to volunteer for the ceremony, he said it couldn't have been better timing.

"I had just gotten back from squadron officers school where retired Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier shared a captivating speech on his experiences as a former POW," said Captain Tinker. "When I saw there was a call for volunteers for the ceremony, I threw my name in the hat immediately."

General Mechenbier spent more than five years as a POW during the Vietnam War.

"It was his story and attitude about his experiences that was a catalyst to my volunteering to run this event," said Captain Tinker. "This is something I have been looking forward to for a long time; to have the opportunity to recognize what heroes like General Mechenbier have done and given up for us. Putting this together has been a phenomenal experience."

After the ceremony, the event continued outside with a wreath presentation, rifle volley, taps dedication and a missing man formation of F-15s and F-16s.

"Future generations will see ceremonies like this and know the importance of those who fought wars before them," said General Davis. "I know they will continue to ensure all of the men and women known to be prisoners of war or those declared missing in action are searched for and brought home."